Salary - £34,421 per annum

· Contract – Full time Permanent

· Hours – 37.5 hours per week

· Location – Midlands based, Hybrid with National travel

· DBS requirement - Basic

· This role does not offer eligibility for visa sponsorship.

This role offers a starting salary within Nacro’s pay structure of £34,421 with expected progression to £35,454 within the first year, subject to meeting clear criteria and performance standards, with further pay progression available in the future. Nacro’s pay framework provides transparent progression points and supports ongoing professional development and career growth.

We are Nacro. We believe that everyone deserves a good education, a safe and secure place to live, the right to be heard, and the chance to start again, with support from someone on their side.

That’s why our housing, education, justice, and health and wellbeing services work alongside people to give them the support and skills they need to succeed. And it’s why we fight for their voices to be heard and campaign together to create lasting change.

We see your future, whatever the past.

The Role

Shape Futures. Create Opportunities. Drive Inclusion.

What if your next role could help people access opportunities that change the course of their lives?

Are you passionate about creating meaningful pathways into employment and development opportunities for people from all backgrounds? Do you have experience leading talent, employability, early careers, or workforce development programmes?

At Nacro, we're looking for a Work Opportunities Specialist to develop, lead and continuously improve our early careers and lived experience programmes. This is an exciting opportunity to influence how people access work, learning and development opportunities while helping us build a future workforce that is diverse, inclusive and reflective of the communities we serve.

You'll shape and lead Nacro's approach to work opportunities, ensuring these programmes provide accessible, inclusive and high-quality experiences that support both individual development and organisational workforce priorities.

A key part of the role will be creating opportunities for people with lived experience and those from underrepresented backgrounds, helping them build confidence, develop skills and access meaningful career pathways.

As our Work Opportunities Specialist, you will lead, develop and support a range of programmes including, but not limited to:

Work experience placements
Internships
Student placements
Apprenticeships
Volunteering opportunities
Graduate schemes
Government employability and workforce programmes

Working collaboratively across Talent Development, Resourcing, Service User Involvement, operational teams and external partners, you'll create high-quality pathways that include learning journeys and development experiences that build skills, confidence and capability, supporting participants to progress towards sustainable employment and long-term career success.

You'll also act as a visible ambassador for Nacro, championing our commitment to inclusion, lived experience and social impact through partnerships, careers events and external engagement activities.

You’ll be someone who:

· Has experience designing, delivering or improving early careers, employability, volunteering, apprenticeship or workforce development programmes.

· Understands how inclusive talent pathways can create opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and with lived experience.

· Is passionate about helping individuals develop skills, confidence and career opportunities.

· Builds strong relationships and collaborates effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

· Uses insight, feedback and data to drive continuous improvement and demonstrate impact.

· Thrives in a role where strategic thinking and hands-on delivery go hand in hand.

· Is committed to creating inclusive environments where everyone can succeed.

At Nacro, every role contributes to changing lives. This is an opportunity to influence how people enter and develop their careers, creating programmes that open doors, remove barriers and unlock potential.

Your work will directly contribute to Nacro's social impact, workforce development ambitions and commitment to being an inclusive employer. You'll help create opportunities for people whose potential may otherwise go unseen, while shaping the future talent pipeline of an organisation that makes a difference every day.

If you're passionate about opening doors, removing barriers and creating opportunities for people to thrive, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Nacro and play a leading role in building pathways that change lives, strengthen communities and develop the workforce of the future.

Click here to view the Role Profile

Click here to view the Candidate Pack

Application deadline 29/06/2026

Interview process: The interview process consists of two in-person stages, both of which will take place at our head office in Birmingham.

Stage 1: Scheduled for 15 July 2026. This stage will last approximately 90 minutes and will include a 60-minute interview followed by a 30-minute task/assessment.
Stage 2: Scheduled for 30 July 2026. This stage will last approximately 60 minutes and will consist of an interview-based discussion and questions.

Nacro is a fair and inclusive employer

At Nacro, we believe in the power of a diverse and inclusive team. We are a Ban the Box employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with criminal records. Convictions are not discussed at application stage and will only be considered later if relevant to the role, assessed fairly, proportionately and confidentially. For advice, contact our confidential Criminal Record Support Service on 0300 123 1999 or helpline@nacro.org.uk.

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Work opportunities Specialist